November 1520

Nov. 9. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxix. p. 410.

134. Antonio Surian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Signory.

The King had returned to Greenwich. On the day of All Saints went to pay his respects. The King announced the Emperor's coronation at Aix-la-Chapelle, and that neither the Papal Nuncio nor his ambassador (fn. 1) had chosen to attend it, on account of certain disputes about precedence; also that the Emperor's former councillors appointed by Mons. de Chièvres had been dismissed, and Germans elected in their stead; and that he (the King) had good hopes the Emperor would not invade Italy, but that the Imperial diet to be held at Cologne would prove pacific.

His Majesty had lately obtained from King Francis an export permit for grain, of which there was great scarcity in England, and the permit had been proclaimed; King Henry doing this that the English might bear goodwill to France and the Dauphin, King Henry's son-in-law.

London, 9th November. Registered by Sanuto, 7th December.

[Italian.]

Nov. 10. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxix. p. 411.

135. The Same to the Same.

The ambassador of the Duke of Savoy, in his master's name, inquired of Cardinal Wolsey whether he inclined most towards France or towards the Emperor, proposing to him the formation of a certain league. The Cardinal replied that the Emperor was King Henry's kinsman and his nephew, and King Francis was his brother and ally, and that therefore he could give no answer until he had seen the articles. Savoy renounces the alliance with France, and adheres to the Emperor.

Had been told by the French ambassador that Cardinal Wolsey dissuades King Francis from coming into Italy, saying the cost would be great, and that his coming was unnecessary. It also seems that the Cardinal had written to the Pope to give similar advice to King Francis.

Don Alfonso —, heretofore the Emperor's governor and captain-general, landed at Hampton, and went to the King with the Imperial ambassadors, saying he had escaped to Portugal, where the King would not receive him, from fear of offending the Spaniards. King Henry in like manner dismissed him, telling him to go to the Emperor. He departed for Calais on the day before yesterday. This affair is supposed to be a Spanish trick (finzion), and that he had money levied in Spain, which he was conveying to the Emperor.

In England the government is intent on framing regulations and statutes against aliens, and has issued a proclamation for the presentation at the mint of all Venetian pence, (fn. 2) which would be received and their value given down to a certain period, after which a penalty is to be levied on those who utter them. These regulations
enacted by the King are very detrimental to the French and Flemish merchants, and according to English report the Venetian pence were apparently of base silver.

London, 10th November. Registered by Sanuto, 7th December.

[Italian.]

Nov. 10. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxix. p. 413.

136. Antonio Surian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Signory.

The Imperial ambassadors have asked the King for a certain amount of money, offering him security both for this and other sums, which his Majesty lent the Emperor heretofore. Understood from the French ambassador [Marigny] that the King apologized, saying he was unable to accommodate the Emperor; and to another request for troops, he in like manner gave a refusal, saying the Emperor does not need them. Had heard however that the King is raising 9,000 infantry and 2,500 horse, saying he means to send them to Ireland, because the natives there do not render him due obedience. Some suspect they are destined for Scotland; and although King Francis contented King Henry by not sending the Duke of Albany thither, he nevertheless dispatched Mons. d'Aubigni, which may be called the same thing. Thirdly, they requested the mediation of King Henry for the settlement of the disturbances in Spain; to which Cardinal Wolsey made answer that King Henry was at peace with France, and was apprehensive lest by interfering in these matters he might cause suspicion to King Francis, who was of a jealous disposition.

London, 10th November. Registered by Sanuto, 7th December.

[Italian.]

Nov. 18. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxix. pp. 440–441.

137. The Same to the Same.

Had announced the death of Sultan Selim to Cardinal Wolsey, who had heard it by way of Rome, and said the State had two good pieces of news—the death of the Turk, and that the Emperor was not going into Italy; adding there was a report that King Francis would invade Italy and go to Venice. Rejoined he knew nothing of this, when the Cardinal expressed surprise, saying, “Should he go to Venice, I shall have been the cause of it.”

Had visited the King and acquainted him with the death of the Turk, and other news. He thanked the Signory, and said the Emperor would not go into Italy this year, but meant to return to Spain, and would leave the government of Germany to the Elector the Duke of Saxony, praising the Emperor greatly and saying he was the friend of the Signory. The Duke having at first refused the office, the King had written to him to accept it. The King also said the Emperor would return to Spain to arrange his affairs there, though they had taken a good turn.

Was moreover told by Cardinal Wolsey that the King of France would do well not to come into Italy.

London, 18th November. Registered by Sanuto, 21st December.

[Italian.]

Nov. 23. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxix. p. 375.

138. Doge Leonardo Loredano to Cardinal Wolsey.

On the morning of the 20th the College wrote to the Cardinal of York, in England, thanking him for the good service he had rendered to the Signory.

[Italian.]

Nov. 23. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxix. p. 376.

139. The Flanders Galleys.

Summary of the Auction made by the four Sages for the Orders, for the Voyage of the Flanders galleys, bound to Flanders.

Three galleys to be put up for the Flanders voyage.

The masters to receive as a gift 6,000 ducats for each galley.

To remain at Messina four days, at Cadiz, six. The captain and the masters to be at liberty to make the port of Otranto should they think fit.

At Cadiz to take two pilots for each galley; to purchase 10 hides for each galley to cover the hatchways (porte); to hoist the barge and cock-boat (copano) on board; and to provide men [rowers?] for the benches.

On arriving at Hampton, the galley that fetches the least at the auction to remain there as usual, provided it do not carry the captain; the other two to go to Sluys, and remain there 25 days, on the expiration of which the captain, under heavy penalties, to proceed to Armuyden, and then come on to Hampton or Sandwich, and remain there 60 days, after which the period of demurrage (la muda) to expire.

On the homeward voyage they are to remain four days at Cadiz, four at Majorca, twelve at Palermo, and eight at Messina, and are then to come straight to Dalmatia by the usual ports.

All wools, cloths, and tin shipped in England [for Venice] since the departure of the galleys lately arrived under the command of Giovanni Moro, to pay freight to the present galleys, as also similar merchandise conveyed by land. The period to commence at the expiration of one year from the arrival in Venice of the aforesaid galleys commanded by Moro.

To pay the crews in England at the rate of 40d. per ducat, making another payment in Flanders at the rate at 60 grossi per ducat. Should they remain out more than 10 months, the masters are allowed to make the payment at the rate of 39d per ducat.

Trumpeters to receive four ducats each, and the captain to board them.

Ayes, 47. Noes, 3. Neutrals, 2.

Summary of the auction contract.—The galleys to go to Hampton or Sandwich, as shall seem best to the captain and masters, according to the majority, and not to proceed to Flanders.

Each galley to receive a bonus of 4,000 ducats.

The period of demurrage (la muda) in England to be for 90 days, with all the other clauses in the above written auction stipulations.

Ayes, 159.

[Italian.]

Nov. 27. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta. v. xlviii. p. 159.

140. Chain pawned to the Master of the Rolls.

Motion made in the Senate.

That whereas Andrea Badoer, ambassador in England, received as usual from the King, on his departure, a gold chain, which, for the necessaries of life, he says he was compelled to pledge to the Reverend Vice-Chancellor (fn. 3) of England for 300 ducats; and the said Vice-Chancellor having died, there are no means whereby to recover the said chain. And as Andrea Badoer is therefore prevented from exacting the credit which he has with the Signory on account of his aforesaid embassy, and has served the State with fidelity and diligence:

Put to the ballot,—

That our said nobleman be declared debtor but for 300 ducats on account of the chain as a set off against his credit, and that there be no other impediment to prevent him from obtaining the residue.

Ayes

125;

117

Not carried.

Noes

63;

74

Neutrals

8;

0

[Italian, 20 lines.]

Nov. 28. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxix. p. 509.

141. Antonio Surian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Signory.

Had received the Signory's letters announcing the arrival of the Turkish ambassador to confirm the peace, and the election of Marco Minio as ambassador to Sultan Soliman, with the letter of thanks to Cardinal Wolsey for his good offices in favour of the State. Went to the Cardinal and communicated this news. Cardinal Wolsey said, “This Sultan Soliman is 25 years old, and has good judgment; it is to be feared he will act like his father.” Delivered the Signory's letter, for which the Cardinal returned thanks, offering his services, and then said the Pope meant to subsidize the Switzers against Ferrara; that the King of France and the Signory should not suffer this; that it did not please his King, as he had included the Duke of Ferrara in the league with France, and the King had written to the Pope. He thought the King of France would not go to Italy, and that after the conferences which are to take place in the middle of Lent between the Emperor, the Kings of Hungary and Poland, and the Infant, his brother, who has married Maria Anna, the sister of the King of Hungary, the Emperor would return to Spain to allay the disturbances there, leaving the Infant [Don Ferdinand] Imperial Vicar; the Duke of Saxony, to whom the post seemed suited, being content with this arrangement.

The Cardinal then said that the Count Christopher [Frangipane] was coming into the Friuli as governor there of Marano and Gradisca, which heretofore belonged to the Signory, being sent at the request of his brother-in-law, the Cardinal of Gurk.

London, 28th November. Registered by Sanuto, 18th January.

[Italian.]

Nov. 28. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxix. p. 509.

142. Antonio Surian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Signory.

The King having returned from Eltham, he went to his Majesty and acquainted him with the news. The King said he understood from France that Robert de la Marck had submitted to King Francis on better terms than before. Also, with regard to Mons. d'Aubigny's mission to Scotland, that King Francis had washed his hands of the matter, and left Madame [Louise of Savoy] and Cardinal Wolsey, the arbitrators, to decide.

In England there is great scarcity of grain; what was worth one noble now costs five. They have sent an ambassador or envoy to the most Christian King to obtain a permit to export from France 6,000 Winchester (Vorne) bushels. Should it not be conceded the English will be very angry, as they did not receive the whole even of what was promised them previously. The French ambassador [Marigny] is of opinion the permission will not be granted, which may exasperate the English.

Cardinal Wolsey, having asked the French ambassador whether King Francis would go to Italy, received for answer that he was certainly going to Milan, and would subsequently be guided by circumstances.

London, 28th November. Registered by Sanuto, 18th January.

[Italian.]

Footnotes

1. There were two English ambassadors in Germany at this time—Dr. Tunstall and Sir Thos. Spinelli.